1
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
angrily tore the letter to shreds
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearing
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
What is a better visual metaphor for being a woman in America than the sight of Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) tearing through the streets of Widow’s Bay, shrieking for help and finding none, while an out-of-shape freak stalks her and somehow manages to catch up to her?
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 June 2026
But the work of tearing the foundation down and building it back up appears complete.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 June 2026
This president is giving us a master's class in our own democracy by tearing it down.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Russia’s state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, said Saturday that the drone exploded after tearing a hole in the wall of a turbine hall.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Photos from the scene showed charred and damaged brickwork on the roof of the 10-story apartment block which Romanian authorities said was hit by a drone that exploded on impact, tearing through a top-floor flat.
—George Calin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Running back Isaac Guerendo, a potential top backup to Christian McCaffrey, is out until at least late August after tearing a pectoral muscle while lifting weights last month, Shanahan said.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Make a clean cut to avoid tearing the stem.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Adjective
By acting as a biomechanical bridge, soft enough for muscle, strong enough for rigid parts, the tendons eliminate the tearing and detachment problems that have plagued previous designs.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
Testing the technology The new development builds on a 2023 study that used weak chemical bonds called mechanophores to prevent polymers from slowly tearing.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
What is a better visual metaphor for being a woman in America than the sight of Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) tearing through the streets of Widow’s Bay, shrieking for help and finding none, while an out-of-shape freak stalks her and somehow manages to catch up to her?
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 June 2026
But the work of tearing the foundation down and building it back up appears complete.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 June 2026
This president is giving us a master's class in our own democracy by tearing it down.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Russia’s state nuclear energy company, Rosatom, said Saturday that the drone exploded after tearing a hole in the wall of a turbine hall.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Photos from the scene showed charred and damaged brickwork on the roof of the 10-story apartment block which Romanian authorities said was hit by a drone that exploded on impact, tearing through a top-floor flat.
—George Calin, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Running back Isaac Guerendo, a potential top backup to Christian McCaffrey, is out until at least late August after tearing a pectoral muscle while lifting weights last month, Shanahan said.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Make a clean cut to avoid tearing the stem.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing
Verb
-
The 20-year-old was a persistent nuisance pressing Swiss defenders and nearly produced a highlight-reel goal, ripping a powerful shot that Gregor Kobel tipped onto the crossbar with a spectacular save in the 49th minute.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
The fixtures, the beautiful chandeliers, ripping the wood out of the floor, selling off anything.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
There are stories of major Nashville players yanking him off the street, keeping him drunk for days in hotels, then leaving Knoxville with stacks of new songs.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
-
Since early May, companies that used the dry milk powder in their food products have been yanking those products on the concern they might be contaminated with salmonella.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
17 May 2026
-
No point hurrying toward a resolution that was always receding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.—
Hisham Matar,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
-
Since the war began in Gaza, more than six months ago, the Israeli magazine +972 has published some of the most penetrating reporting on the Israel Defense Forces’ conduct.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
The best know how to play through grabbing or shoving of various degrees.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Wembanyama finished Game 6 with 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
After several miles, the suspect veered into the middle lanes, still speeding at around 90 mph for most of the time.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Experts testified that Erickson and Grossman were speeding along the road.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Netflix’s big comedy bet might be the Dan Levy–Rachel Sennott co-creation Big Mistakes; the biting, farcical series about adult siblings who get caught up in the drug business plays like Weeds crossed with The Other Two.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
2 May 2026
-
The tracks are more vulnerable, biting, and self-aware than ever, and in some cases, feature lyrics pulled right out of Hjelt’s diary.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Micah Parsons doesn’t sound like someone rushing to play football.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
While in the autonomous and action-oriented sign of Aries, however, we’re called to lead without rushing the process.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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